1Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

Barnes Notes: They had been taught this and it would have been in their minds.

One doesn't know when 'a thief in the night' may be coming.

1Thessalonians 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety.(the words usually of the deceivers 1, 2), then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape.

Evil ones feel they are safe, seeing that the physical world doesn't notice their dirty deeds of harm to humanity, but God knows and the law of reap and sow eventually catches up with those who are evil:.Amos 9:2,3; 1Samuel 12:15.

1Thessalonians 5:4 But you brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief.

You are expecting something good in life.

1Thessalonians 5:5 You are all the children of light and the children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness.

1Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us watch.(original 'be awake', that is, be on the qui vive;.Mark 13:33-37; Ezekiel 33:6,8).and be sober.(original 'watch', that is, be alert, calm and collected in spirit, but see what's really going on).

1Thessalonians 5:7 For they that sleep.(those that don't comprehend what's going on), sleep in the night.(they still are in the dull frame of mind of not knowing, similar to those who are drunk all day through to sleeping at night) and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

1Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober.(original 'watch').and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

1Thessalonians 5:9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by Emmanuel the Christ.

In other words, Father-Creator-God has made us accepted.

1Thessalonians 5:10 Who died for us, that whether we are awake or sleep.(whether we live or die), we should live together with him.(John 8:52).

Romans 14:8,9 "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord and whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died and rose and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living."
2Corinthians 5:15 "And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again."

Once in fellowship with Christ, he'll never leave you:.Hebrews 13:5.
What you have gained in Christ remains:.Matthew 10:28.
How to get into fellowship with Christ? Listen to what gene Decode says about the crucifixion. And see the Crucifixion page.

1Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another, even as also you do.

Be encouraged!

1Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them.(that is, don't be a stranger to them, but rather, be a friend).which labour among you and are over.(original for 'over' is 'care and attention to').you in the Lord and admonish you;

1Thessalonians 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

1Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded.(those having a hesitant.approach to life in general, perhaps because they are downhearted,.dispirited, disheartened or downcast), support the weak.(Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:2; 1Corinthians 9:19,22; 2Corinthians 1:4), be patient.(*).toward all men.

1Thessalonians 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves and to all men.

Romans 12:18.

1Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.

1Thessalonians 5:17 Pray.(actually it's 'praise' and why?) without ceasing.

What does it mean? Praise God at least once daily for it until you physically see it come into your life. As soon as you do this, the Holy Spirit's power immediately begins forming it for you and then it will manifest for you at the right time. So relax. It's yours now! If it's for sure in the invisible, it's for sure in the visible. Keep thanking God for it.

1Thessalonians 5:18 In.everything.(always see the overview that God knows what He is doing {*} and that God is good; even the bad exists so we will see it {*} and develop an aversion to it, so overall it turns out for good {Romans 8:28} and what you may not like is for you to learn the two sides of life, examples 1, 2, 3).give thanks.(why?). For this is the will of God in Christ.(*).Emmanuel.(*).concerning you.

From the original."Toward all, thanks to God for this will.(the laws to bring you all the good you want that this Great Conscious Intelligence has set up).to have in mind and resolved what one wishes or has determined to be done in this Infinite Intelligent Energy.(Acts 17:28).through Christ into yourselves."

Psalms 100:4; Colossians 3:15. What is 'through Christ?

1Thessalonians 5:19 Quench not the Spirit. 

1Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things, hold fast that which is good.

How does one prove all things? Word 'prove' in original here is 'to recognize as genuine and approved of after examination', to 'scrutinize', 'to test as metals are tested':.1John 4:1. Romans 12:2; and also. What is good?

How does one."hold fast".the spiritual things of God?

1Thessalonians 5:22.Abstain.from all appearance of evil.

Original here for word 'evil' is 'annoyances', 'hardships', 'pains', the things that present you as being an annoyance, a hardship and a pain to others. Learn how to leave evils.

1Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I praise God that your whole spirit and soul and body is preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Emmanuel the Christ.

1Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I praise God that your whole spirit.(here meaning the enlightened part of you; you in the same consciousness as God).and soul.(the invisible part of you, wherein is the pattern of your being from which various programmings enable such things as growth, puberty, menopause, repairing cuts, replacing cells, etc.).and body.(speaking of the entire physicalness of a individual, like one's appearance).is preserved blameless unto the coming.(words 'unto the coming' in the original are 'in presence').of our Lord Emmanuel the Christ.

Paul was reminding them that they are always in the presence of Christ. About a second coming of Christ, see here.

1Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it.

1Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.(Romans 16:16).

1Thessalonians 5:28 The grace of our Lord Emmanuel the Christ be with you. Amen.

The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

....next New Testament book is 2Thessalonians